Shortlist announced for NSW regional fleet renewal

THE government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has announced that it has shortlisted three candidates for the replacement of the NSW Trains regional passenger fleet, with three consortia shortlisted to participate in the tender.

The three successful applicants are:• Regional Futures, led by Downer• Bombardier Consortium, and• Momentum Trains, led by CAF.

The tender will include the design, manufacture, financing and maintenance of a new train fleet, and a new maintenance facility to be designed and constructed in regional NSW.

State minister for transport and infrastructure Mr Andrew Constance said the replacement of the regional fleet would deliver huge benefits for public transport customers across the state.

“We are looking for high-quality, innovative and value-for-money proposals from the three applicants,” he says. “They will be asked to provide details of how they will deliver trains that provide improved comfort, safety and reliability for regional customers.”

“This programme gives us the opportunity to incorporate modern benefits for those travelling long distances as we replace trains which are up to 35 years old.”

The aim is to award a contract by early 2019, with the first trains to be delivered in the early 2020s.

The NSW Government has identified Dubbo in central NSW as the preferred location for the maintenance facility, subject to geotechnical surveys and planning approval.